Can my Mac install updates without my permission?

Can my Mac install updates without my permission?

I just had a comment about this question is my Mac just updated without my permission as I know that the battery symbol looks different from normal. why the heck is Apple turning their machines into Windows machines? This is the exact behavior that Windows users hate!!! I know the answer now there’s a setting that allows you to turn off automatic updates anyways of course I’m ****** off at it. I could’ve swore though that if there was that option that I had turned it off at some point.I know the answer now there’s a setting that allows you to turn off automatic updates anyways of course I am ****** off at it. I could’ve swore though that if there was that option that I had turned it off at some point. well, if the Mac updates to I believe it was Mojave or Catalina and definitely Big Sur you may find that your purchased Photoshop or illustrator is now a subscription that you can never own ever. I wish I could downgrade I probably can downgrade but that is an example that was painful.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]